The convoy rolled across the Ngwenya Border Post under a dull gray sky, hundreds of boots crunching on broken asphalt. Behind the soldiers trudged a mass of civilians — farmers, traders, children clutching their parents' hands. Every step felt heavier now that they'd left Eswatini behind.
"Welcome to South Africa," Lungelo yawned, stretching like a lazy cat inside Sbu's mind. "Same sun, same dust, more drama."
Sbu adjusted his rifle strap and exhaled. "You talk too much for a ghost."
"Lion spirit," Lungelo corrected. "Have some respect."
Before Sbu could reply, the world exploded into chaos. From the tree line ahead, shadows lunged — Tier 1 beasts, their forms twisted and soaked in the oily shimmer of corrupted qi. A massive catlike creature slammed into the first truck, flipping it like a toy.
Screams filled the air. Civilians scattered.
"Protect the line!" a sergeant shouted.
But the soldiers were barely holding formation when another beast charged from the right flank. Gunfire cracked — useless. The bullets barely scratched their hides.
"This is against human rights!" someone from the crowd yelled. "They can't just leave us here!"
Another screamed, "We should've gone with the first group!"
Sbu's jaw tightened. He could hear their fear — feel it, even. But there was no time to calm them. His qi surged, and his Step of Dawn sword technique ignited with faint golden light.
"Form a circle around the civilians!" he shouted. "Keep them behind us!"
Lungelo chuckled. "Finally! Let's see if your shiny blade can blind them before it kills you."
Sbu dashed forward. His sword flashed — one, two, three precise arcs — and a beast fell, light searing through its flesh. Another lunged at him from the side, but he ducked, slicing across its jaw before stabbing its heart.
All around him, soldiers fought with renewed desperation. The fear and pressure unlocked something deep inside them — qi flared, eyes glowed faintly, and dozens advanced to Tier 1 mid-battle.
Then came the voice that steadied the chaos.
"Left flank, regroup! Move civilians behind the trucks!"
It was Sam — a young man with sharp eyes and a scar running along his cheek. He wasn't barking orders, just speaking with clarity that cut through panic. Soldiers followed him instinctively, moving as one.
When the last beast collapsed, silence fell except for the whimpering of the injured and the distant cries of children.
Sbu wiped blood from his sword and looked at Sam. "You… how did you know where to move everyone?"
Sam shrugged. "Been to South Africa before. Used to visit family near Nelspruit. I saw a safe route behind the ridge."
Lungelo hummed approvingly. "He's got more sense than half your troops combined."
Sbu nodded. "Then it's settled. From now on, you're my Vice Commander."
Sam blinked. "You sure about that, sir?"
"I just watched you save over a hundred people," Sbu said simply. "I'd be an idiot not to be."
Lungelo snorted. "Finally, some management skills."
They resumed the march, stepping over smoldering beast carcasses. Civilians whispered complaints — about the food, about being forced to walk, about how "the government abandoned them." Still, the group pressed forward.
Sam took the lead, tracking faint signs of the earlier convoy — tire marks, bent grass, broken branches.
"They were here," he murmured. "Heading west. Toward Nelspruit."
It took two grueling days before the city appeared on the horizon — Nelspruit, or what was left of it. Buildings stood half-burned, streets torn open, and the faint stench of qi-tainted ash hung in the air.
When they finally set up camp in the city outskirts, the soldiers collapsed onto the ground. Civilians huddled together under makeshift tents, murmuring prayers.
Sbu climbed a hill overlooking the city. The sun was setting, painting the broken skyline in gold.
"Not bad," Lungelo said softly. "You didn't die. That's progress."
Sbu cracked a tired smile. "Yeah. But this isn't even halfway, is it?"
"Not even close, boy," Lungelo said. "Tomorrow, you'll wish today was the hard part."
Sbu looked down at the exhausted faces below — soldiers, children, mothers — and tightened his grip on his sword.
"Then I'll be ready for tomorrow."
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